The satirical comic strip, ‘Dilbert,’ has been dropped by newspapers across the United States after its creator, Scott Adams, went on a racist tirade. Adams referred to Black Americans as a “hate group” and called for White people to “get the hell away” from them.
The USA Today Network, which operates hundreds of newspapers, announced that it had decided to stop publishing the long-running comic strip. Other newspapers, such as The Washington Post and The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, have also followed suit.
Adams’ comments came in response to a poll by the conservative firm Rasmussen Reports that suggested 53% of Black Americans agreed with the statement, “It’s OK to be White.” The Anti-Defamation League has identified the phrase as having a “long history” in the white supremacist movement.
Adams said on his YouTube show, “Real Coffee with Scott Adams,” that if nearly half of all Black Americans “are not OK with White people,” then it’s a hate group. He added that the best advice he would give to White people is to “get the hell away from Black people.”
Andrews McMeel Syndication, the company that distributes ‘Dilbert,’ has not yet responded to the incident. Meanwhile, the newspapers that have discontinued publishing the comic strip have been clear with readers about their decision. Gannett, which publishes the USA Today Network of newspapers, tweeted that it aims to “lead with inclusion and strive to maintain a respectful and equitable environment for the diverse communities we serve nationwide.”
